Essentials of the West and the Tsingy of Bemaraha - Nomadays

Madagascar

Essentials of the West and the Tsingy of Bemaraha

On the road between Morondava and the Tsingy of Bemaraha, we will discover the distinctive landscapes of western Madagascar: arid, eroded lands, rivers, baobabs, canyons, and rocks in all shapes… On the return trip, the scenery shifts to rice paddies and all kinds of plantations!

Early in the morning, we will head to the Avenue of the Baobabs (scene: majestic trees bathed in the first light of day), then cross the Tsiribihina River by ferry to reach the Tsingy of Bemaraha by late afternoon.

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1h-500km
Morondava

Day 1Flight from Antananarivo to Morondava

Day 1Flight from Antananarivo to Morondava

  • According to the flight schedule between Antananarivo and Morondava, the airport transfer is planned from your hotel/home.

    Our team will welcome you upon your arrival at Morondava airport. Transfer to the hotel and rest of the day at leisure.

Meal and accommodations

Accommodation: Hôtel Baobab Café I Morondava

Morondava
10h-200km
Bekopaka

Day 2From the Baobabs to the Tsingy of Bemaraha

Day 2From the Baobabs to the Tsingy of Bemaraha

  • Early in the morning, we head towards Belo sur Tsiribihina in a four-wheel-drive vehicle. The dusty track winds through the dry forests of western Madagascar, dotted with baobabs. Numerous villages, markets, and people are encountered along the way; the meetings are frequent and the exchanges enriching.


    Almost at the end of the morning’s journey, we discover the first village in the Central West of the Menabe region: Tsimafana. This is the boarding point to take the first ferry and discover the rich lands of the Tsiribihina River, a journey punctuated by groups of birds. We reach the town of Belo sur Tsiribihina and have lunch there. We highly recommend the local restaurant Mad Zébu, of astonishing quality, which will delight even the most discerning gourmets.


    To reach the entrance to Bekopaka, we take the second ferry on the Manambolo River. The beauty of the landscape is so breathtaking that it could make us linger longer on this river and stop time altogether. High, steep cliffs surround us, and this intoxicating discovery, these magnificent landscapes, and the unique feeling of venturing into such vastness are worth the journey in themselves.


    We arrive in Bekopaka at the end of the day, at the foot of the Tsingy de Bemaraha Massif, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site.
    Check-in at the hotel.

Meal and accommodations

Breakfast: Hôtel Baobab Café I Morondava

Accommodation: 2 stars hotel

Bekopaka
15m-10km
Bekopaka

Day 3Canoe on the Manambolo River and Hike in the Tsingy

Day 3Canoe on the Manambolo River and Hike in the Tsingy

  • Morning dedicated to discovering the Tsingy Bemaraha. Before starting the visit of the Small Tsingy, we descend the Manambolo River in a traditional canoe.

    We gradually enter caves to see these unique formations found nowhere else in the world. Step by step, we make our way through the labyrinths of limestone rocks. If you are lucky, you may spot some of their small inhabitants: the famous lemurs.

Meal and accommodations

Breakfast: 2 stars hotel

Lunch: Picnic during the hike

Accommodation: 2 stars hotel

Bekopaka
Bekopaka

Day 4Hike in the Great Tsingy of Bemaraha

Day 4Hike in the Great Tsingy of Bemaraha

  • We set out to explore the vast expanses of the Great Tsingy of Bemaraha. The route begins with a 4x4 transfer 17 km north of the village of Bekopaka to reach gigantic limestone cathedrals, dense networks of faults, deep crevices, and limestone blocks carved into blades or sharp points that form the “Tsingy.” Through canyons with lush vegetation, dry areas on limestone slabs, labyrinths, and fissures, we will arrive at the Roof of the “Tsingy”.

    Return to the village at the end of the day.

Meal and accommodations

Breakfast: 2 stars hotel

Lunch: Picnic during the hike

Accommodation: 2 stars hotel

Bekopaka
6h-200km
Morondava

Day 5Back to the Kingdom of the Baobabs

Day 5Back to the Kingdom of the Baobabs

  • Early in the morning, we head towards Morondava in a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Despite the condition of the track, we will relive with nostalgia the intoxicating discovery of the high, steep cliffs and the magnificent landscapes. That unique feeling of grasping the immensity returns once again.


    First ferry crossing on the Manambolo River to reach Belo by late morning. We have lunch there, then continue with the picturesque crossing of the Tsiribihina River by ferry. We pass through the famous Avenue of the Baobabs. We will be eager to take the red dirt track to get there in time, to photograph and capture the magnificent sunset that casts its orange glow over the baobabs.


    Arrival in the evening in Morondava.

Meal and accommodations

Breakfast: 2 stars hotel

Accommodation: Hôtel Baobab Café I Morondava

Morondava
10h-485km

Day 6Antsirabe, the City of Water

Day 6Antsirabe, the City of Water

  • Drive to Antsirabe. Rice fields stretch out along our route. After passing through the small town of Mahabo, the landscape becomes harsher until Miandrivazo. We stop to visit markets in the villages we pass through. Gradually, the arid scenery of the mid-west and the “bald” mountains carved by erosion from the Bongolava Massif give way to a patchwork of terraced rice paddies and varied crops, with hills topped by the red-brick houses of the Central Highlands.



    Arrival in Antsirabe at the end of the day.

Meal and accommodations

Breakfast: Hôtel Baobab Café I Morondava

Accommodation: Ecolodge Les chambres du voyageur | Antsirabe

Day 7Back to the Capital

Day 7Back to the Capital

  • Short city tour and visit to the local artisans (making miniature bicycles and cars, working with zebu horn…) before driving to Ambatolampy.



    Rice fields and the characteristic villages of the Highlands shape the landscape.
    In Ambatolampy, we take a break to discover this lively town along the RN7.



    In the afternoon, we continue towards Antananarivo.

Meal and accommodations

Breakfast: Ecolodge Les chambres du voyageur | Antsirabe